Joint Press Release:

The City of Mary Esther Public Notice of Wastewater Release With Health Advisory                                                  

Mary Esther, Fla.– The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) is issuing a health advisory for the following body of water in Mary Esther, Florida:

• Santa Rosa Sound (adjacent to South Christobal Road)

 
The City of Mary Esther has reported a wastewater release from a manhole located just north of 6 South Christobal Road in Mary Esther, Florida that discharged into the Santa Rosa Sound. The City of Mary Esther calculates 1,000 gallons of sewage was released. The City of Mary Esther representatives have reported that the spill has now been contained and cleanup actions are underway. The City of Mary Esther will continue to conduct water sampling and testing in the area until the bacteria levels are within the recommended standard. Until further information is known regarding contamination of the waterway, people in the area are urged to take precautions when in contact with the affected body of water. Sewage did not get into any drinking water sources, and water available through the public water system is safe to drink.
 
Waters contaminated with wastewater overflow present several health hazards to humans and may contain untreated human sewage with microbes that could cause gastrointestinal and other diseases. Anyone who comes into contact with the affected waterways should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking. Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to disease. For more information about the potential health effects of wastewater overflow, residents and visitors are encouraged to contact DOH-Okaloosa at 850-833-9247 or www.HealthyOkaloosa.com. 
The City of Mary Esther has notified the proper authorities. This notice is in response to Emergency Rule 62ER16-1: Public Notice of Pollution.
 
This health advisory will stay in effect until water sampling results show the bacteria levels are within the recommended standard.
 
For more information, please call the City of Mary Esther at 850-243-3566.